THE fleet industry has welcomed the recently announced changes to the new-look 1999 Fleet Show which see it transformed into a three-day business show. Vehicle manufacturers, service companies, and rental and leasing firms have supported the decision to go for an all-business format, with no driving facility, and backed the change of venue to the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham.

The 1999 Fleet Show, from April 27-29, will be the centre of attention during a 'fleet week' which is expected to feature a gala dinner and associated business-related seminars exploring key fleet industry issues. The change of emphasis follows extensive research among exhibitors and visitors by show organiser Emap Automotive, publisher of Fleet NewsNet.

Immediate changes see 'Motor' dropped from the show's name and it is being cut from four days to three. Event manager Chris Lester said: 'The name and logo will change and at the moment it looks like being the Fleet Show, rather than the Fleet Motor Show, purely because it will be more business orientated with no driving facility. The show is being cut to three days and this again follows requests from the industry after many found Monday and Friday logistically awkward.'